Orange County Staff

Noel Burcelis has been in management for over 26 years. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Social Work he began his career as a child protective social worker with Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.  His management experience began at the Long Beach YMCA where he helped launch several community initiatives which include; Juvenile Crime Prevention Program, Community Schools & CORAL (Communities Organizing Resources to Advance Learning). He then served as a Program Director at Helping Hands for Better Living serving medically fragile, developmentally challenged adults. In 2011, he was selected to serve at Director of Operations at Ronald McDonald House Orange County and currently serves as its Executive Director. Noel is a proud graduate of Long Beach State and has been happily married since 1995. His hobbies include volunteering at his church, reading, and casual cruises on his bicycle. 

Katie Russell has been with the Orange County Ronald McDonald House for over ten years and during her tenure with us has held a variety of positions such as: Guest Services Associate, Volunteer Coordinator, and Guest Services Manager. Her experience outside the charity include serving as Director of Operations for an Interior Design Company and over nine years with the Disneyland Resort as a Guest Relations Manager. Katie has displayed commitment to our mission. 

Born and raised in Singapore, Ruth graduated from Pepperdine University where she majored in Communications and Public Relations.  Over the course of her post-graduate professional life, she has cultivated a passion for service and communication, applying her diverse skill sets to the fields of public relations, journalism, marketing, and fundraising. Her career started at grassroots a non-profit in South Los Angeles where she was responsible for overseeing 50 afterschool sites scattered throughout Compton, Watts and Inglewood. 

In 2014, Ruth joined Ronald McDonald House Orange County as Volunteer Manager and was then promoted to Special Events Manager and in the beginning of this year, took on the role as the Director of Development where she oversees the charity’s fundraising initiatives, marketing and communications. 

As a child, Ruth was diagnosed with a chronic blood condition and experienced firsthand what it was like to be in a hospital away from her parents. To this end, she works tirelessly to ensure that when a child is hospitalized with a critically ill condition, their family will never have to be too far away. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world (including an annual trip to Singapore to visit family), playing “mom” to her dog, Duke and checking out the food scene in and around Los Angeles and Orange County. 

Laura joins us from the higher ed sphere, previously at Chapman University and Biola University where she led young alumni programming and digital engagement. Prior, she worked in the hospitality and consumer sales industries with companies like the Marriott and Apple, Inc., as well as interned for the house while she was a student at Cal State Fullerton! Born and raised in Orange County, Laura has a passion for building community and serving others — plus, she’s a big Disney fan. In this new role, she’s excited to think strategically and explore her creativity in anticipation of our grand re-opening in the spring! 

Narleen has worked in event production and management for over 25+ years.  Since music was her first love, she owned a vocal studio and performance company, and has toured all over Southern CA and Hawaii.  She has worked as an event coordinator for the GRAMMY’s, primarily with the LA Chapter, for numerous events, movie screenings and awards shows.  Most notably, she served as an event manager for Concordia University Irvine for 12+ years, creating and managing recruitment events for both graduate and undergraduate programs within Admissions.  She is happily married to her Green Bay native husband, John (who made her into a Packer fan) and together they have three beautiful children, Narielle, Alenna Kalea and their precious son, Gerard, who earned his angel wings, in 2018.  She has a very big heart for RMHOC, because of her experiences with the House and the long amount of time she and her family stayed at the House during her journeys with both Gerard and Alenna.  She is so excited and honored to join the Development Team, and use all her experiences (both professional and real-life) in her new role.  In her spare time, she and John own and manage a home business… “Sweet Gerard’s Bakery”, named and built in loving memory & honor of their son.  When she isn’t busy in the kitchen, she simply enjoys spending time with her family and friends: crafting, singing, fulfilling hula mom duties, and of course, cheering on the Packers! 

Valerie never misses a chance to plan and develop something beautiful, especially when it comes to bringing people together for a worthy cause. After graduating from Cal State Fullerton in 2014, Valerie pursued careers working in the event industry and developing her knowledge and passion as an Experience Creator. Holding positions in catering sales to special event development and venue sales with the world's leading live entertainment companies, Live Nation, Valerie also developed and managed events for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. As an Alpha Delta Pi, she is honored with the opportunity to do amazing work for Ronald McDonald House Orange County.

Johanna Folkes has been in management for over 10 years. With a bachelor’s in Communications from California State University Fullerton, she started her nonprofit career at South County Outreach, an organization that helps people experiencing hunger and homelessness. During that time, she oversaw and managed 300+ weekly volunteers.

In 2017 she was hired as the Volunteer Manager for the Ronald McDonald House Orange County. This role was her first paid position within the charity, but not her first experience. Johanna volunteered at the Orange County House with her Girl Scout Troop in her youth. She remembers making breakfasts and dinners for the families and getting a facility tour. She is grateful for the opportunity to inspire new groups of volunteers that come to the House, the same way she was inspired as a child.